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Bush Libby move angers Democrats Bush Libby move angers Democrats
(about 2 hours later)
US Democrats have expressed outrage at President Bush's decision to commute the prison sentence given to former White House aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby.US Democrats have expressed outrage at President Bush's decision to commute the prison sentence given to former White House aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the move showed Mr Bush condoned criminal conduct, and Hillary Clinton said he elevated cronyism over the rule of law.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the move showed Mr Bush condoned criminal conduct, and Hillary Clinton said he elevated cronyism over the rule of law.
Republicans who had called for a full pardon for Libby welcomed the decision.Republicans who had called for a full pardon for Libby welcomed the decision.
Libby was facing a 30-month sentence for obstructing an inquiry into the leaking of a CIA agent's name.Libby was facing a 30-month sentence for obstructing an inquiry into the leaking of a CIA agent's name.
Though no longer required to go to jail, Libby is still due to serve a period of probation and pay a fine.Though no longer required to go to jail, Libby is still due to serve a period of probation and pay a fine.
'Betrayal of trust''Betrayal of trust'
The BBC's James Westhead in Washington said the president's decision was a compromise between pardoning Libby outright and allowing his sentence to stand.The BBC's James Westhead in Washington said the president's decision was a compromise between pardoning Libby outright and allowing his sentence to stand.
But Ms Pelosi described the president's intervention as a "betrayal of trust of the American people".But Ms Pelosi described the president's intervention as a "betrayal of trust of the American people".
BUSH'S DECISION Spares Libby from jail, but is not a full pardonLibby must serve two-year probation periodHe must still pay $250,000 fine Text: Bush's clemency order US papers react to move BUSH'S DECISION Spares Libby from jail, but is not a full pardonLibby must serve two-year probation periodHe must still pay $250,000 fine Text: Bush's clemency order US papers react to move class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6689&edition=2&ttl=20070703125412">Send us your reaction
Ms Clinton, a frontrunner in the Democratic race for the presidency, said she was incensed by the move.Ms Clinton, a frontrunner in the Democratic race for the presidency, said she was incensed by the move.
"What we saw today was elevating cronyism over the rule of law. And what we saw today was further evidence that this administration has no regard whatsoever for what needs to be held sacred," she told the BBC."What we saw today was elevating cronyism over the rule of law. And what we saw today was further evidence that this administration has no regard whatsoever for what needs to be held sacred," she told the BBC.
But Republican presidential hopefuls Rudolph Giuliani and Mitt Romney welcomed the decision.But Republican presidential hopefuls Rudolph Giuliani and Mitt Romney welcomed the decision.
"I believe that the circumstances of this case, where the prosecutor knew that there had not been a crime committed, created a setting where a decision of this nature was reasonable," the New York Times quoted Mr Romney as saying on the campaign trial in Iowa."I believe that the circumstances of this case, where the prosecutor knew that there had not been a crime committed, created a setting where a decision of this nature was reasonable," the New York Times quoted Mr Romney as saying on the campaign trial in Iowa.
Both men said in a Republican presidential debate last month that they would consider a pardon.Both men said in a Republican presidential debate last month that they would consider a pardon.
'Criminal conduct''Criminal conduct'
Lewis Libby, also known by his nickname, "Scooter" Libby, was found guilty in March of perjury and obstructing justice in a case connected to Washington's decision to invade Iraq.Lewis Libby, also known by his nickname, "Scooter" Libby, was found guilty in March of perjury and obstructing justice in a case connected to Washington's decision to invade Iraq.
WHAT IS CIA LEAK CASE ABOUT? Libby was found guilty of lying to the FBI and a grand jury over revelations about CIA agent Valerie Plame's identityCritics said the White House leaked Ms Plame's identity to undermine her husband, ex-ambassador Joseph WilsonHe had publicly cast doubt on the Bush administration's case for war in IraqThe alleged cover-up, rather than the leak itself, was the subject of the Libby trial Q&A: CIA leak case Begging a president's pardonWHAT IS CIA LEAK CASE ABOUT? Libby was found guilty of lying to the FBI and a grand jury over revelations about CIA agent Valerie Plame's identityCritics said the White House leaked Ms Plame's identity to undermine her husband, ex-ambassador Joseph WilsonHe had publicly cast doubt on the Bush administration's case for war in IraqThe alleged cover-up, rather than the leak itself, was the subject of the Libby trial Q&A: CIA leak case Begging a president's pardon
His trial stemmed from the accusation that the White House had illegally made public the identity of a serving CIA agent, Valerie Plame, in an apparent effort to embarrass her husband.His trial stemmed from the accusation that the White House had illegally made public the identity of a serving CIA agent, Valerie Plame, in an apparent effort to embarrass her husband.
Ms Plame's husband, a former US diplomat, had publicly criticised the basis for the invasion of Iraq.Ms Plame's husband, a former US diplomat, had publicly criticised the basis for the invasion of Iraq.
Libby was found to have lied to investigators about conversations where he mentioned Ms Plame but he was not convicted of having directly leaked her name.Libby was found to have lied to investigators about conversations where he mentioned Ms Plame but he was not convicted of having directly leaked her name.
He was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison, two years of probation and a fine of $250,000 (£125,000).He was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison, two years of probation and a fine of $250,000 (£125,000).
President Bush said he had until now refrained from intervening in the case, waiting instead for the appeals process to take its course.President Bush said he had until now refrained from intervening in the case, waiting instead for the appeals process to take its course.
"I respect the jury's verdict," he said. "But I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr Libby is excessive," Mr Bush said."I respect the jury's verdict," he said. "But I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr Libby is excessive," Mr Bush said.
However, he said, Libby's remaining punishments - the probation period and fine - were "harsh" and would leave his reputation "forever damaged".
Tell us what you think of President Bush's decision 		However, he said, Libby's remaining punishments - the probation period and fine - were "harsh" and would leave his reputation "forever damaged".
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